The Blogster, back from a brief fact-finding trip on the hills surrounding Montpelier, VT, the nation’s smallest state Capitol, is not shocked to see that the winners in this morning Quinnipiac University Poll are the undecideds in both Republican and Democratic parties as they assess gubernatorial hopefuls. Even though Greenwich millionaires Tom Foley and Ned Lamont are in the nominal leads for the GOP and Democratic nomiantions, respectively, voters are not embracing them, the Q Poll found.
Lamont’s camp was first with reaction this morning:
Communications Director Justine Sessions: “This is the third poll in a row where Ned is up by double digits over his closest challenger.”
“Ned’s business background and his focus on creating jobs are resonating with voters, and this comes before campaign season has even kicked into high gear. As Ned continues to travel the state sharing his vision to get Connecticut back on offense with more voters, we’ll see his support grow even stronger.”
Here’s Foley’s:
“We are flattered and encouraged by the results of this poll. I have been traveling across Connecticut since June listening to the concerns of voters. This poll confirms that the issues I hear most about from citizens and the ones I have addressed in My Plan Forward for Connecticut – bringing jobs and the economy back to our state, reducing the cost and size of government, reducing the tax burden on working families, and changing the way business is done in Hartford – are resonating with the people of Connecticut.”
Here’s Roy Occiogrosso, on behalf of Dan Malloy, the former Democratic mayor of Stamford.
“Is Ned really highlighting a poll that shows his lead shrinking? That’s an interesting strategy. But what’s more interesting is the fact that Dan increased his vote share by 64% without spending a dime on paid communications. Ned’s numbers didn’t move. Dan is proving that you don’t have to spend millions of your own dollars to become better known and to generate enthusiasm and support for your candidacy. What you do have to do is have the better candidate with a better track record and better ideas. We’ll spend plenty of money on paid communications when the time is right: after the Convention, when voters really begin to pay attention. People ask Dan all the time if this strategy can work. Today shows that it’s already working.”
Dan Malloy has moved up seven points without any paid media. Dan is concentrating on winning the convention by making the rounds of Town Committees and Regional forums. He has the most experience in running a successful city for fourteen years and has developed policies that will serve him well in Hartford. Check out his policy statement at http://danmalloy.com/policy.
Comment by Bill Sheehan — March 18th, 2010 @ 2:01 pm
I for one hate politics, but have been really impressed by Dan Malloy. He’s the only person I’ve heard speak about a real plan to get CT back on track.
Comment by Stephen — March 18th, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
People need to take a good look at what the candidates are saying AND what they are spending. I’ve had a chance to hear what Dan Malloy is saying and to take a look at what he has done over the past twenty years. This is a real leader. We need someone who really knows how government works, and who is prepared to lead us through some very trying times. Don’t take my word for it. Check out “danmalloy.com”. See for yourself. Dan is the ONLY candidate on either side who is truly qualified to be the governor of this state. I’m sure Ned Lamont is a nice guy, but I haven’t seen anything from his campaign that makes me feel he could handle the challenges facing our next governor.
Comment by Peter Soulsby — March 18th, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
It is obvious based on these new stats that the sincerity of a candidate will be the MAIN factor in determining who will win. The election will not be won using the “inspirational” U2-type music featured in Foley’s ad, it will be won by the candidate who is willing to visit every town, talk to every person, and truly represent the vision we have for Connecticut. Based on the race so far, the candidate who fills that description the most accurately is Dan Malloy.
Comment by Sean Kinyon — March 18th, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
It is clear that Dan Malloy is winning support the old fashion way, working for it, not buying it.
Comment by Bruce Mac Donald — March 18th, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
I can see why Dan Malloy’s poll numbers are improving and Ned Lamont’s are shrinking. People are realizing that after years of drift and decline under Jody Rell we need a governor who has run a government successfully. That person is former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy.Success in the private sector is nice but the public sector is infinitely more complex. That’s why Malloy’s numbers have risen and Lamont’s declined.
Comment by John F. Daly III — March 18th, 2010 @ 11:44 pm